Chain Help

GoldenMotor.com

tec1993

New Member
Aug 17, 2011
1
0
0
Ohio
I have broken 3 Chains. It has to do with the tensinor. How do i Fix it. Every so often the tensior will move and the chain will come off and break.
 

decoherence

New Member
Aug 23, 2010
476
2
0
sebring,fl
i had that problem once. that & breaking & twisting chains.

i threw out the tensioner & stopped trying to use bicycle chain for the motor
now i ride tensioner free & chain from tractor supply.
it just takes some time to set up the chains on both sides being taught.
buying a half link for the peddle side &/or a way of shimming the motor helps.

some may say they love their tensioners or rube together something.
it is hard to get a pulley in your spokes if there is none there.
 

The_Aleman

Active Member
Jul 31, 2008
2,653
4
38
el People's Republik de Kalifornistan
I used the stock idler for 3 years and this is what I have found to work best:

1: Don't treat it like a tensioner. It really isn't one. If you put your chain really tight, you will increase the chance of the idler bracket moving. Run 1/2" - 3/4" of slack.

2: the chainstays the idler bracket is mounted on are not parallel with chain angle. Most aren't. That means you need to bend the idler bracket to match your chain angle.

As long as your chain is straight and not too tight, you should not have a problem, IMO. I never had one. Bending the idler bracket just right is key.
 
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PerryP180

New Member
Jun 24, 2011
79
1
0
Atlanta, GA
Get some #41 chain and it won't jump off of the sprocket unless it is way out of line. The stock chains only work well if you get near perfect alignment of the sprocket and keep good tension in the chain. #41 chain is very forgiving on misalignment and looseness in the chain. I've had zero chain problems with my bikes since I made the switch.